IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 821 

Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during 

the August 2016 presidential elections. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 12, 2016 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ROYCE, and Mr. 

MEEKS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Urging the Government of Gabon to respect democratic 

principles during the August 2016 presidential elections. 

Whereas the United States has deep interests in the political 

freedom, democratic stability, and regional leadership of 

Gabon; 

Whereas Gabon boasts a per capita income four times that 

of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high 

income inequality, a large proportion of the population 

remains poor; 

Whereas despite constrained political conditions, Gabon’s 

small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the 

more stable African countries; 


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•HRES 821 IH 

Whereas Gabon gained independence from France in 1960 

and Omar Bongo Ondimba became president in 1967, solidifying the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) dominance of power ever since; 

Whereas Gabon adopted a constitution in 1991 that formalized a multiparty system and imposed a two-term presidential term limit; 

Whereas the constitution was amended to remove presidential 

term limits in 2003; 

Whereas President Omar Bongo Ondima died in June 2009 

after more than 40 years in power, making him one of 

Africa’s longest serving heads of state; 

Whereas following the death of President Omar Bongo 

Ondima, elections were hastily organized in August 2009 

in which the son of the former president, Ali Bongo 

Ondimba, was elected with 41 percent of the vote; 

Whereas the legitimacy of the 2009 election results was 

largely disputed by opposition parties and civil society, 

and greatly increased political tensions in the country 

since; 

Whereas the Department of State reported that the 2009 

elections were plagued with instances of destructive demonstrations, human rights abuses, irregularities of voter 

registration lists, improperly guarded polls, unfair censorship of news coverage, and post-election violence; 

Whereas Gabon is scheduled to hold presidential elections in 

August 2016; 

Whereas a free and fair election in Gabon holds regional significance as an example for other African countries that 

have elections scheduled in the near future; 


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•HRES 821 IH 

Whereas the citizens of Gabon have demonstrated their support for the democratic process and have actively participated in political parties and elections; 

Whereas tensions in Gabon are growing from grievances 

about the legal framework of elections, including respect 

of the constitution and current laws, independence of institutions within the electoral system, terms limits, and 

the lack of representation of civil society on election management bodies; 

Whereas since the 2009 presidential election, some political 

demonstrations have been met with tension and violence, 

which have only been exacerbated by the lack of equal access to public and private media by opposition parties 

and civil society organizations; 

Whereas certain innovative institutions in Gabon, such as the 

National Council for Democracy (CND) and the office of 

the Mediator of the Republic, can potentially play a positive role in fostering citizen participation in elections and 

advance democratic principles; and 

Whereas there is concern for misconduct in the upcoming 

elections, including the mishandling of voter registration, 

creating barriers to election day polling, and the integrity 

of the election results: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) calls on the Gabonese Government to— 

3 (A) hold orderly, peaceful, free, and fair 

4 presidential elections in August 2016 in order 

5 to ensure stability and long-term growth of 

6 Gabon; 


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•HRES 821 IH 

1 (B) guarantee fair and open participation 

2 of opposition parties; and 

3 (C) guarantee the freedom of speech and 

4 assembly of all Gabonese citizens; 

5 (2) encourages continued efforts toward the 

6 consolidation of democracy through increased dia7 logue and concrete actions to address constitutional 

8 and legal framework of electoral systems and sup9 ports Gabonese organizations that work to further 

10 strengthen democratic processes; 

11 (3) calls on the citizens of Gabon to fully and 

12 peacefully participate in the presidential elections; 

13 and 

14 (4) calls on the United States and other inter15 national partners, especially electoral focused non16 governmental organizations, to help create an envi17 ronment which facilitates open communication, guar18 antees free and fair elections, encourages voter par19 ticipation, and fosters a robust civil society. 

Æ 


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